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Sunday, January 6, 2008

How did you get your fountain working so well?!?!! I have used 2 different brands on a few different occasions and I can't ever make it look as even as the pictures! Any secrets??We put 14 ozs. of cooking oil in it. It has the same effect as Alli.

Any new family additions this year? Another baby(twins, perhaps?), or maybe a dog or a cat? 2008 will be gr8.I'm considering getting a Chia Pet.

I do have one semi-serious question, but financially we are getting drained with one child and me staying at home (well sort of I teach at our Parent's Day Out/Preschool) how do you make financial ends meet, that is before the blog?It's called "creative financing". That's when you go through your bills every month and decide who you'll pay and who will have to wait.I need to know though what did you have on that all the kids including the younger ones were all sitting still? Or was that a split second thing?The Simpson's Movie. Yes, I know. Good quality stuff there.I do have a question for you though. My son got a rootbeer off of the shelf this evening, dropped it to the floor, and puncturing it so that it spewed. EVERYWHERE. My question is, HOW am I going to get all of this stinky stuff cleaned off of everywhere? garden hoseWhen you all go out for pizza, how do you decide what to get on it?Seriously? We ask everyone what they want. Crazy, I know.

If you were to do a Mayo Fountain, what would you use to dip into the fountain?BLTs?

Enlighten me, How do you do the cross through when writing on Blogger?Like thise. Wait, no, like thiss. Oops, I mean like this!A question for your Sunday sound off: Will there be a book tour when your book comes out in the near future?Yep! :)

I know of 2 people who took these fat pills. Both had er...uh... "oily" accidents. One of them was at work and she had to go home to change. Her chair wasn't pleasant to walk by let me tell you! When she changed jobs we let her take her personalized chair with her.Did it look like Jerry's couch after Poppy sat on it?

Go you for doing WW, but really, I've seen pictures and I have no idea why you're doing it?!?!!?ROFL!!! That's pretty funny. BTW, you're my new best friend, Manic!Have you tried watching that yo gabba gabba video again?Duh! Why didn't I think of that! That's the best weight loss program out there!My husband is skinny and does not get it either. I just had my 4th, 7 months ago and now weigh 180 pounds! I am trying to eat 2000 calories a day since I am nursing...You think 2000 calories is plenty, right? I am starving!!! I am only on day 4.. SO STARVING!!!! Any suggestions for a low calorie food that actually keeps you full? I hear styrofoam fills you up pretty well. And, for what it's worth, I was always starved when I was nursing my kids too. I never lost an ounce while breastfeeding.My husband even noticed how many diet comercials there are lately! LOL!!! I have been noticing all the other food ads. LOL!!! We are both trying to loose weight. Maybe your husband needs to "diet" with you. ;)HA! My husband polishes off a half gallon of ice cream every two days. There's no way he'd give that up.First of all, to your many readers, it's "lose" weight, not "loose" weight!Thank you! I've really been biting my tongue on that one.

So I started focusing on good quality foods in smaller quantities and my hubby loves it. We'll go out and buy a $60 roast and make it the way they do on TV and find that there's plenty for several days and it's truly satisfying.$60 for a roast?!?!?! For that price, Emeril had better come cook it personally!

As I was sitting here reading the blog again I had a great idea. You need/want motivation for loosing weight.........just think they are going to put your picture on the back of a book for the world to see! That is one of the biggest things that's motivating me!Do you ever suffer from insomnia and if so any good cures??I never have until these past couple weeks. For days now I haven't gotten to bed until 3:00am or later and then I just lie there unable to sleep. When else am I suppose to write? I'm really getting crabby from the lack of sleep. It's a good thing I have such a nice, considerate husband who understands and tries to help me out instead of one who says that I don't have a real job and won't bother to watch the kids so I can write. Want to come clean my room too? I'll provide the liquor!=)Throw in babysitting and I'm there!

What's your opinion on children with siblings vs. only children?. Do you think your children are better off having siblings or do you wish they were only children so you could pay more attention and focus on only one child? Would your children be more cooperative if they were onlies, does it not matter, or are they actually more cooperative, working as a team?Well, since I don't have an only child, I can't answer this. People choose the family size that's right for them. I can't imagine only having one kid in my family. I do know that parents of only one child never have to answer the question, "Who started it?" though.Or is this one of those "if a monkey bit you" questions?

I love the wooden thing with the bins that slide in an out...did the hubster make this or something you purchased? And if purchased, from where?Ikea!

Dawn, did I miss something. Did Julian pass?? I read all your posts but I haven't seen an update lately about Julian since the one where he was able to celebrate christmas.I hope he is okay and still fighting strong.No, I'm sorry if I made it sound like that. Julian's still hanging on, sleeping a lot and having some seizures, but still giving smiles. :)So, do all six of your kids have their own room? Wow, you must have a big house.Ummm, not exactly.We have about a 1000 square foot house and the kids share rooms.Speaking of...is Brooklyn expected to become an older sibling sometime soon...?I'm sure she'd love a younger brother(have to keep the pattern going...boy, girl, boy, girl, etc...)Speaking of the pattern, how did you manage to have six kids with an equal number of girls and boys AND going in alternating order? Quite a coincidence, I would say!We planned it that way.

For a child with five siblings, Lexi sure does have a lot of stuff!That mess was comprised of all three girls' belongings which are all stored in one little room.

I also remember he used to use his diaper as a pocket. Is this something I will get to look forward to or was Donny the odd one out?I don't know. Phil and Lil do it.I let her daddy convince me that Santa just had to bring her Moon Sand as well, which I am now convinced comes straight from the offices of some one that has never, nor will ever, have children. They probably have nice, white furniture and carpet up at Moon Sand Central, too. You know what they don't have there? Yep. Moon Sand.My husband just asked me to buy some Scotch Guard so he could make his own moon sand. @@If you could have only had ONE of your kids, and had less(hopefully!) of a mess, which kid would you have had?Well, "anonymous", this is by far the dumbest question I have ever read. You obviously don't have kids.

I really love your Sunday sound outs because I don't have time to read all of the comments each day so getting to see the best........or worst is always good for a laugh. Seriously someone annonymously wanted you to choose one of your children to keep in exchange for less mess. Wow people are really crazy (or stupid).

Oh, goodness. I may die laughing at that very last question. That seriously must have come from someone without kids. I can't imagine my life without each and every one of my little monkeys. Not even a little bit!

I really do enjoy reading your blog, Dawn. I definitely feel normal when I read that you do and say much of the same thing I do!

Dawn,I feel your pain (and am addicted to your blog). I had 4 kids in 5 1/2 years, and the oldest turned 17 yesterday. 3 boys, 1 girl (she's 2nd to last, ages are 11, 13, 15-next Saturday, and 17 last Saturday). In a 1600 sf house the 3 boys are in one room...it's fragrant, especially once they hit puberty. I stay at home, am a FT church sec'y for a portable church, with the office in the corner of my living room. Also am a notary, so I do loan closings. Anyway, no real earth-shattering comment or question. Just thanks for making me smile a lot.p.s. Am going to be in a cast for about 6 weeks starting next Thursday...any ideas you have on coping with that should be hilarious!

I just discovered your wonderful blog! I'm a mom of six as well. Three girls ages 16, 14, and 13, and then my 3 boys are ages 9, 7 and 3. I'm a "thirty-something" mom too! Though I just turned 39 a few days ago, so technically this is my last year to be able to say that. :-) I love your writing! I have two blogs. My teen daughters and I blog at www.polliwogspond.com and I'm starting my own blog soon at www.six4paula.com (wish me luck!(

Well, I planned on having 4 kids, girl, boy, girl, boy all within 2 years of each other. I ended up with girl (6yrs later) girl (2 years later) girl. Someone didn't get the message.

As for 1 vs. many, I came from a family of 5 and loved having so many siblings. I asked my mom once how she handled 5 (at the time I had 1 and she was driving me crazy) Mom said after 2, they entertain each other and don't demand so much of your time. It's true. But like you said, each family has to do what is right for them. (I wouldn't give up ANY of my kids. Not even my special baby girl with Down syndrome nor would I change her!)

I ALMOST bought Moon Sand for my 9 year old - then I came to my senses and remembered what happened last year when my brother in law got her a Barbie with a cat that "pees" in a litter box. Yeah, the first day she had it, she managed to get the green "sand" all over her bedroom carpet, then proceeded to try to clean it up with a wet paper towel. Let's just say that the kitty became an "outdoor" cat after that!!!

That last question from "anonymous", ranks right up there in stupid questions with "Oh, your having ANOTHER kid?!?"

Have you ever had inconsiderate people ask you these kinds of stupid questions in person? If so, how do you answer them.I also have 6 kids and I'm in a wheelchair. I don't know... maybe that somehow disqualifies me from having the privilage of having kids. Sorry... venting.

Actually, I do hope the question asked regarding which kid you'd "keep" did come from one of your kids. Awfully sneaky... but in a good way. I actually pondered that for a brief moment this afternoon as I was washing one kid's hands. I only have two and they're as different as night and day (although they were totally sharing their dessert tonight -- one would take a spoon of sherbert and feed it to the other who wouldn't eat the whole spoonful then take the spoon and feed the rest to the other child. If only I'd had the video camera (ok, if only I HAD a video camera) to capture it, as I'm sure that's a moment I'll never see again). One is really easy and the other stops moving and is ALMOST as stubborn as I am but I couldn't imagine not having either of them. I actually got sick to my stomach thinking about not having one of them and then ended that train of thought!

On a happier note... your husband knows how to make his own moon sand? And it involves Scotchguard? Please do share (can you tell I haven't had any of the horrid, major messes of childhood yet from my kids)!

AND so glad to hear that Julian is still hanging in there. From your post, I too thought he had gone to the next world. I can't imagine what his family is going through. My thoughts and prayers are, as always, with them.

I have two boys, 6 nephews (with one more on the way), and I have 4 brothers. Really...if you even have a clue on how to have a girl, I'd love to hear it. The testosterone is enough to make me grow facial hair! :D

OK, so I was just reading your mamaslike and see you have nursed 6 kids. I nursed 3 kids for 13 to 20 months each. I know the phrase sand in pantyhose is an accurate description of my once freestanding breasts. What are your thoughts on reconstructive surgery? I am seriously debating going into debt (OK, deeper debt) so I can open the door, get the mail, etc without a bra, and not worry about someone seeing me. It is a bummer to have to rearrange your boobs when you roll over in bed. Any suggestions?Patty

Why, oh why do people ask you questions that are personal and are none of their business? What are they thinking? Sheesh! Like which kid would you choose so there was less mess. Give me a break! How hideous!

Chia Pets rock!!! Yep, they're still around! They are this family's new "White Elephant" gift to pass on each year. Dad gave one to the college student who actually spent time reading the directions. That was two weeks ago and there is still no growth...what gives?

I love your Sunday blog! A great time to say what is what with your ever-so-eloquent sarcasm. Don't ever change!

I am so relieved to hear that Julian is still above ground. I was moping around and depressed for most of the week. Are there any Christians here who can "agree" for a healing for that poor kid?Thanks Dawn.

Ok first of all, I don't think you need to lose weight either! YOu are by far skinnier than I am and I only have four kids. My youngest just turned seven and I always lost all the pregnancy weight immediately and was all slim again. Until a few months after the youngest quit nursing, I slowly started gaining and now have 35 lbs to lose! ACK!

Anyway, I know it is expensive, but the only thing that works for me is Jenny Craig. It is all written out for me and all right there. No thinking involved. I look at my sheet, cross out what it says to eat, eat it and continue on with my day. I started really being strict with it and doing it right on the first and I have lost 5 lbs! YAHOO FOR ME! I just drink a lot of water, feel hungry and let my stomach shrink for the first few days and now I am hardly hungry anymore. I am on 1200 calories a day and when I start to exercise more, I may have to up that a little, I don't think that is enough.

Anyway, when hubby got a raise, I told him we needed to splurge and do that. It is often just signing up that is the most hard on the wallet but if you try the six week thing (which is a good price) and REALLY stick to it, you will melt off lbs. How much do you want to lose?? Ten?? You need to eat and buy food anyway, right?? So it really isn't bad. Anyway, sorry to ramble, but the food is honestly and truly delicious! My kids and hubby BEG for some of the fettucinni or meatloaf! LOL I have to fight them off when I am trying to eat:) I have tried it on my own before but always feel deprived and end up starved. I have lost 11 lbs in 3 days doing a fat flush, but it was far too much work.

So just telling you my experience. Take it or leave it.

If your tour comes to Seattle, I will definitely be there! First in line for your autograph!

Dawn, Do love Sundays as well. I sent you blog on Alli to so many people because I was doubled over laughing! I was thinking after seeing your Christmas picture that you didn't look like you needed to lose weight. Glad that other people thought the same. I know people suggest eating a variety of colors to spice up your plate while dieting, so sprinkle on the m&ms, that's what I do!A question for next week... see, I am helping you out and it's only Monday!...where did you go to college and what did you major in (other than grammar, HA)?

Wow. That last question was a doozy, heh? Picking one kid to keep when you have more than one would be like having to choose between your nose or your eyes. Which would you like to have ripped off your face and which would you like to keep? Geesh!

Santa needs to be shot. She insisted that our little darling get a little lego set that builds a fire and rescue building complete with all the vehicles and lego people. Santa thought it was a great idea at the time, but now Santa sees the error of her ways. You know...after Santa stepped on each one (I haven't counted, but I'm sure she's stepped on every single one) in bare feet. AFTER the little darling tore apart every piece we spent HOURS working to put together.

You have 6 kids...you should write a book detailing what to buy and what not to buy for Christmas and why. It would be a bestseller. I'm sure of it!

I am hear having insomnia myself. (I feel your pain and fatigue. I am hitting month 4) But after reading the Sunday sound off questions, I am laughing outloud! First, to the girl who wanted some financial advice: I have 5 children and Tonight we made our first batch of "Homemade Laundry detergent." But I think I will only notice the difference in my budget, if I steer clear of ever buying a $60.00 roast! Good Grief, where in the heck do you buy a $60.00 roast?? I shop at Wal-mart and they don't sell $60.00roasts there. Second, Who asked the question of "Which kid do you like the best." Us mom's would never answer such a question. (Besides, the answer could very day to day.) jk. Third, My aunt and uncle are taking my 2 brothers and their wives and my hisband and I to CANCUN in March. This was a Christmas gift. Guess who went on a diet the day after Christmas? And there is noway I am going to lose enough wieght by then to be below a size kajs;daope Sorry, my keyboard seems to not be able to put in such a high number. But I must get to something that won't look too freakishly horrible in a "unitard" I can't wait to see all the skimpy bathingsuits on the beach. Yep, that's just what I want to do, spend a week in my unitard.

Now that I think about it, I wonder if the person who started the "If you bit a monkey?" question was dieting at the time and just got really hungry. Just food for thought. That's what I'm hear for Dawn.

"If you could have only had ONE of your kids, and had less(hopefully!) of a mess, which kid would you have had?Well, "anonymous", this is by far the dumbest question I have ever read. You obviously don't have kids."

Your responses to questions like the above is what puts that stupid grin on my face and keeps me coming back for more!

Yes, Moon Sand. Who was the idiot who invented this? My friend, who has a daughter just 6 months older than my 2 year-old son, gave him this for Christmas. I should have been mildly suspicious when she said, "You don't really pay attention to those toy warnings of '3+', do you?" Within 45 seconds of having one bag open it was all in my carpet and my super Dyson couldn't get it up without using the attachment! It is the toy from hell....

When you put up the questions for the Sunday Shout Out, do you cull them over the course of the week, picking out your favorites to save, or do you wait until Sunday and then go through all the comments to choose what to answer? Honestly, I'm just shocked that you read all the comments given how many you get and how busy I know you must be. Kudos to you for being organized enough to do it all AND stay sane!Michelle

I sit in amazement at some of the questions people are bold enough to ask. However, that last one takes the cake! I had a friend with twin girls and she was often asked 'did you do that on purpose?' or 'did you plan it that way?' to which she got to where she'd say no, we only wanted one but each time we tried to drop this one (and she'd grab one of the girls by the arm) off by the side of the road, people stopped us.

What nonsense, how can someone ask that? Obviously, they have no kids because it appears they value a spotless house over the love and blessings of a child.

Have you considered something like Curves? I work at one in Des Moines and it works really well for a lot of people. Some offer babysitting while moms work out so they don't have to try to find someone. It's a great program and isn't terribly expensive (a lot of times there are specials). I've been working there a little over 2 years, but I had originally joined when I was in college and came back from a semester overseas 25 pounds heavier than when I left.... Not good! I lost it all within about 4 months and now use it as a way to maintain my weight and stay in better shape than if I just let myself sit at home!

this is going to be kind of a downer comment... I read a book several years ago that was posed the situation of having to pick a child. The ladies were in a book club and they were reading a book about the Holocaust. The Jewish mother in the book had two children and was forced to chose one to stay with her while the other was taken away. That book has haunted me ever since.

Go you on WW!! I just want to say WW works!! I am a lifetime member now. I started last March! I lost 40lbs! I love the way I feel. I love it when I go to Wally world with my six kids looking the way I do! Stick with it!!!

Yes, that last question was quite funny. My "answer" to that question would vary greatly depending on the moment and which one my little dears was being the quietest! I only have 3 so I am in awe that you handle 6 with the great aplomb that you do - I'm not sure that I would still be sane with double my children. I just recently heard about your blog and want to tell you that I love it and am grateful to hear that others have children like mine that keep them on their toes and wondering what will come next. Can't wait to read your book.

First, it's "if a monkey bit you...", not "if you bit a monkey". Dieting or not, I'd never be that hungry. Second, choosing between kids because of the messes they make? My 2 have always been creative with their messes - like the time my son anointed himself with a bottle of Crisco oil or the time my daughter painted her bedroom wall with toothpaste (and her brother's toothbrush!). We took pictures, cleaned it up and moved on. And hoped the health department didn't see the pictures...

I have been reading your posts now, every since the Ebay happenings. I love reading your day to day issues, and seeing that as an at home mom, I am not so alone! So I just had to share this is with you...hope you enjoy it, and maybe I can make you smile for a change (instead of me getting the smiles from you!)

So, my son is so cute.

I told my 5 year that he had to earn his time on the playstation today...and that his room needed cleaned before he could play on it. So he comes out about an hour later and says the room is clean can I play....from here I'll give you exact quotes.

"My room is clean can I play my playstation now?"

"You are sure your room is clean?"

"Yep"

"Ok, but I am gonna come back in a bit and check, and it better be clean" (this in the best motherly tone I can manage with my sinus infection)

"Ok" as he turns to run to the room, he takes one step and then turns back to me and says...in the most cutest 5 year old voice...

"Are you gonna look under the bed?"

Hahaha....well I am now buddy! Oh he says the cutest things sometimes! I love my kids. Times like this I am reminded how boring life would be without my children.

I am glad you replied to the which kid would you pick question. I can't believe anyone would even ask that type of question. That is like saying if you could keep one limb which would you keep? An arm? A leg? I mean really!

ok- I have one girl (4) and one boy (2) - they each have their own rooms and not only do their rooms perpetually look like your daughters' but they also invade the rest of the house- I swear I need a rake to clean up. we are expecting a third in May and really I am not sure that more kids make more mess I believe that two have the capacity to do the work of more when they put their minds ot it!

I'd love to say, "for the love of my sanity, please..." but I think that's a lost cause. So, if you, by any stretch of the imagination, still remember that cute Skandanavian name of your IKEA storage system in your girls' room, PLEASE share it with us untidy masses!

My 7 yo son makes more of a mess than your 3 girls put together. I'm about ready to give it all away to Goodwill.

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas,playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard.

The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess.

A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or thatsomething serious had happened.

He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door.

As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste hadbeen smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.

He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?

Ok I don't usually comment on comments but that last one takes the cake..........which child would you choose if you only had one ???? ....that is..........just about the most insensitive, rude , obnoxious thing I have ever read......yes obviously this person doesn't have children , heaven help the poor kids if they do ps feel free not to approve this comment I'll understand

It seems like large families are prone to receiving negative comments. How do you deal and cope with these comments? From your blog, it seems you are able to find humor in them. Or at least deal with them in a humerous way. Do they secretly offend you or are you really that lighthearted? Will there be a chapter in your book about dealing with comments and defending one's family in a positive manner?

There seems to be quite a few negative comments on here. Do you think these people actually believe what they are saying, or are they trying to stir up controversy and get a riot out of you? What do you think about controversial, dramatic people?

What is moon sand????? I am in Australia and have never heard of it, unless I have had my head buried in the sand LOL. I have 2 very noisy boys, aged 5 and 6.5 years. Hubby and I are actually debating on a third (primarily because they have no cousins and are not going to have any cousins, and I think that might be a lonely life), but then I read your blog and think hmmmm, maybe not! I just spent an entire day cleaning number 2 son's room, and it wasnt anywhere as trashed as Lex's was! Keep up the good work. Have a good day.

It BLOWS MY MIND - the questions some people ask, and think they have the right to ask! I love the way you handle questions. If it were me responding, I'd be pissing people off left and right. You are great.

Oh, and I just had to say, there must be more than one code for doing the strikeout of words, because I use the < s > and it works for me. Of course now I'm going to have to try the < del > too just because I can! LOL!

Right after you mentioned Alli I saw a sign up for it in my grocery store touting it as the only FDA approved over the counter diet pill. They probably figured if people were going to take it no matter the side effects then they deserved it. lol

I emailed you the day I found out I was pregnant with my fourth. You said it's a blessing not a curse. I read your blog everyday and I just have to say that you've kept me sane. My house is a mess, I only cook sometimes...if it's imperitive. I just love the way you think. You make me feel like a Mom. We are all crazy. I walked up to a green bathroom tonight. My kids decided to spread the paint all over the bathroom. I took a step back and realized that this is sweet. You know, a green bathroom. Sweet right? I'm taking R.C.I.A. right now and it is making my whole life different. It's nice to have to think about life in the scope of Jesus. It keeps me in line. The most profound thing I have learned is a simple sentance. The instructor said, about kids, was "I'm giving them waht they deserve,". The instroctor said "If someone had only given me what I deserve...I don't think I would be alive." that's God's word. God rocks that way.

With people still making jokes about the "oily gassy crapathon" post, and those jokes still entertaining me, I am going to have a hard time the next time I have to tell my kids "ok, enough of the bathroom talk!" (can you say, hypocrite?)Hilarious, Dawn - thanks!KR

Hehe... Someone asked where you get a $60.00 roast- you have to ask the butcher. :-P The way I figure, it's about 3-4 nights of dinner, for 3 people... So that means it's roughly what? $7.00 a person (or less)? Cheaper than eating out, and tastes better than McDonald's.Anyway- if it's expensive food I buy, I buy LESS of it... Less budget for ice cream and Arby's. I tend to spend a lot on meat, and spend little on canned goods and processed foods. My $$ goes into meat and veggies. Now, if I had 6 kids.... Heck no. Shoot, once I have this baby we'll probably not be having $60 roasts except at holidays.

Dear Dawn,There is so much amazing stuff on your blog! It's sooooo funny.However, I just had to say, one thing I can't really figure out..How can a roast cost SIXTY dollars!?!I used to work at a store that sold organic meat and yes, it was waaaay more expensive than regular meat, so I think I know what I'm talking about. I think someone moved the decible and it was supposed to be SIX dollars instead. She deserves a refund. Probably she was shopping with her kids or maybe, gasp(!) it WAS sixty dollars and like the Pokemon cards,someone slipped them in!God bless,Elaine

"So, if you, by any stretch of the imagination, still remember that cute Skandanavian name of your IKEA storage system in your girls' room, PLEASE share it with us untidy masses!"By Aly, at January 7, 2008 3:24 PM

Hi Aly and Dawn!

The name of the IKEA storage system is "Trofast" and you find it in the childrens area of your Ikea. There are several wood frames and plastic drawers (in different colors) to combine to your hearts desire :-) I use it to store Lego and Playmobil in it, it's great! There are lids for the drawers (less dirt) and you can stack them on top of each other (very sturdy)Hope this helps!Christina from Germany

Whew! I've done my share of creative financing too! The best part is when XYZ company calls and asks when to expect their money: Me: When I get it XYZ: when is that Me: IDK, you tell me and we'll both know! LOL Seriously, it's no fun but most of us have had to do it before. THanks for the Seinfeld video, it was hillarious!

Thanks as always for your sense of humor. You are an inspiration to all us moms! Thanks for being so real. I can't tell you how much I look forward to reading your new posts!

I managed to lose 15 pounds by starting my own in-home day care. I watch five kids ages 2 & under (in addition to my three sons ages 6, 4, and 1). I rarely have time to sit down much less eat! (My lunch usually consists of bits of the kid's food that I am cutting up.) Just add a couple more kids to your load - take off the pounds in no time! :)

Honestly though, I don't know how you do it with six all the time! Three boys are wearing me out. They definitely keep me on my toes (especially now that they're all mobile)! Keep sharing your mothering wisdom and great stories! I surely appreciate it!

What makes people think that they are entitled to ask personal questions about your [or any woman's] family planning? Does reading someone's blog give you the privilege of being "entitled" to request such information that is otherwise very personal and private? It's not that I'm not interested in whether or not Brooklyn's going to have a younger sibling, but I'm content to wait, rather than beg, for announcements.

I have just always wondered why, especially in this age of infertility, people insist on sticking their noses in to places they don't belong. I bet if they knew the true answers to their baby-questions, they might change their minds about asking. You're a good person to not take offense.